"There's been a hitch in our operation that you all need to be aware of."

The feds had assembled us all a few days later in a so called safe room to reveal their bungling and it was not going down well.

"A hitch." I glanced at Verna.

"Apparently Harland wasn't as undercover as we thought."

"Excuse me? Just what does that mean, Reagan?" I frowned at Jones who was staring at Verna.

"The call Harland made to you was monitored by uhm- our target."

I stared at the federal agent, thoughts fracturing as I tried to assemble them.

"The call to my office . . . the call that said to meet at the Tokyo Grill . . . with you two."
"I know what you're thinking, Hart--"

"Do you. Like your target also monitored that meeting and exposed all of us to the whims of some arms dealer."

"We don't know that--"

"Where's Harland, why isn't he here?"

Verna pulled at my arm and raised her eyebrows in silent question. Alice stood and walked to the hotel room window. Harry slapped his legs and growled his confusion aloud. He stood, disgusted with the whole thing as a waste of time and left, announcing he had a business to run. Verna gave me a sorry look and followed her boss out the door.

"They need to be apprised of the possible danger." Jones complained as Verna left.

"You mean now you left the barn door open." I glared at Jones. "You never answered me, Reagan, where's Harland."

"We don't know. He disappeared after the meeting we had."

"So that lunatic could be anywhere."

"Don't worry we have had surveillance on everyone since we learned."

I stood and beckoned to Alice. "Miss Comfort, I'll take you back to your hotel if you like."

"Our agent will do that."

"Miss Comfort is my client and I'll see to her safely getting back."

There was no objection and no conversation until we were on the elevator.

"You will still try to find him won't you, Mr. Hart?"

"If that's what you want . . . and Rick is fine . . . Alice."

"It is . . . and I did what you suggested."

I made a happy confused face.

"I contacted my mother. We had a long conversation."

"Aah, and everything okay?"

"It will be."

That answer left me with too many meanings but I left it alone and delivered Alice back to the King's Arms.

********

"What do mean no Thai Bites!"

"Harry says he's tired of getting involved in your cases. That meeting this morning cost him a lot of business."

"Verna! That wasn't my fault. Why is he blaming me?"

"He doesn't want trouble with the government."

"Oh, so pick on Hart. Geez, Verna."

"I don't much like it either, Hart. I don't like living with people watching me."

"Come to my place, they aren't watching me. I'm expendable . . . and hungry. Ask Harry nicely for me?"

"I'd rather live under a bridge than in your place and yes, I'll ask."

This case had to be put to bed fast, I was putting too much of my personal life in jeopardy. My God, no Thai Bites! I still had to worry about Alice Comfort as well. Finding Roe could lead to a lot more trouble.

Verna came to the table with a small plate of Bites and a look that said just be thankful. I stared morosely at the serving - it was the sample starter. I needed to find Roe. I knew one source that was infallible. Sweet Pappy Sabathia. I should be good for a meeting I paid off my account after the last case and I had enough good faith, I hoped, to buy some more credit.

********

The back booth at Racks Pool Hall was his office and I prepared myself for the unnervingly thorough pat down one must endure before seeing Pappy. No belts, shoes, wrist watches. No phones. No weapons, first time there I had to surrender a nail clipper and cash up front.

"Richard Hart, it wasn't that long ago we did business." The soft voice reached me as he was leafing through his famous notebook. "Yes, here we are. My, my, you paid everything in full."

"I did and I hope that allows for another request, mind you I didn't get any preferred customer coupons but you are a fair guy."

The chuckle was genuine humour and I didn't hear any threatening moves from his guards.

"I like you Richard, not enough for coupons but enough to do business."

"Rate still the same?" Pappy nodded and I forked over three hundred. That bought one question answered or not so I tried to cleverly get my story in for the biggest bang.

"The Feds are interested in your client."

I gawked. I should have known. "Yes, but that's not relevant at the moment. I'm looking for Harland Roe. Can you help?"

"It's very relevant, Richard. Roe is their CI and he was burned. You are not alone in seeking his whereabouts."

"So is that a no?"

"As I said, I like you, Richard." He put his notebook away and gave m a fatherly look. "There is a rooming house at number sixteen eleven Victoria that caters to persons wishing to remain anonymous." Pappy looked at his Rolex. "I'd say you had a window of about four hours."

"He's changing hideouts?"

"In a manner of speaking."

"I'm grateful, Pappy. This is one scum I really need to take down."

"Four hours, Richard and all the rules apply. One word and . . ."

I heard the hiss as he drew a finger across his neck.

I retrieved all my stuff, got dressed again and hurried out. Pappy didn't like me all that much apparently.

********

The building on Victoria was jammed between the stage door entrance to a theatre and the parking entrance to an office building. It was three floors of dirty concrete and no identification aside from the black painted street number.

Inside I saw that business was done through telephone in the lobby, if one could call it that. When the gruff voice answered I made up my story about having a parcel for the man that recently checked in and that he was expecting it.

"Nice try, sport."

"Seriously, I have something for him and he is expecting it. I know names aren't used."

I went into a brief description of Roe and pleaded in my best whine. When I said I knew he was leaving and I had to reach him before he did the tone changed and I was given the room number. Pappy's info was gold.

Naturally it was the top floor and no elevator so my legs were shaking when I got to the top - Verna was right, I needed more exercise. There were two doors opposite one another and Roe's was on my right. As I stood gathering my breath the door opened and a man came out - not Roe. He looked startled when he saw me and in a split second we both went on alert.

I threw my arms up and blocked his wild punch, staggering back and blocking the stairwell allowing him to skip past and up the short flight to the roof. I hesitated then went to the apartment door and looked inside. Roe's body was draped over the edge of the bed, blood pooling on the bare carpet below his head.

Was this what Pappy meant . . . in a manner of speaking?

I dashed out and up to the roof, cautiously opening the door and peeking outside. The tar and gravel roof was empty and I spotted the hand rails sticking up opposite the door. Sure enough it was a ladder leading down to the fire escape - my assailant was gone.

Back at my office I reluctantly called the police and asked for Detective Sergeant Garth Meadows.

"Oh I remember you all right, Hart, front man for the Druid motorcycle drug gang."

"That's not true and you know it, that case came to a very successful conclusion as I recall and a certain cop did very well press-wise."

There was a long sigh of resignation sliding down the line as he asked what I wanted. I reported the body of Harland Roe and said there was a long story behind it all, which I would be happy to relate at his convenience.